Microtome knife holder



`lune 17, 1930. w, PATTERSON ET AL 1,765,283

MICROTOME KNIFE HOLDER Filed April 6, 1929 i :m mum Willam I .Palrjrersom George 5150i losch;

- INVENTORS BY M. MM

ATTORNEY Patented June 17, 1930 UNITED STATES Partnr rric WILLIAM L. PATTERSON AND GEORGE B. GALLASGH, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK,

ASSIGNORS TO BAUSCH & LOMB OETICA CORPORATION OF NEW YORK L COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A

MICROTOME KNIFE HOLDER 'Application med April s, 1929; Semi No. ssaoiaf This invention relates to microtomes of the type in which a specimen is reciprocated past a stationary knife to cut olf successively thin microscopic sections of the specimen. More particularly this invention relates to the knife holder which is used in a microtome of the character described.

It is often desirable, in the process of cutting 'sections with a microtome, to change the cutting angle ofthe knife without otherwise altering` the adjustment of the mechanism. This cannot be accomplished with prior devices, as far yas we are aware, because any angular adjustment of the prior art knife would change the distance between the knife edge and the specimen and thereby necessitate a re-adjustment of the knife holder on the base of the microtome.

lt is an object of this invention to provide an improved microtome knife holder which. will permit adjustment of the cutting angle without varying the distance between the knife edge and the specimen. Another object is to provide gauging means on the knife holder whereby the cutting edge of the knife can be properly positioned. These and other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of arrangement, combination and construction of parts as will hereinafter be more fully described and pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows an end elevation of our improved knife holder which is mounted on a microtome of one type.

Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of our improved knife holder detached from the microtome.

Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section of our improved knife holder.

A preferred embodiment of our invention Vis illustrated in the drawings wherein our knife holder is indicated generally by H. The knife holder vcomprises a support 10 which is slidably mounted on the base B of a microtome M and adapted to be secured in adjusted position by means of the screw 1l and clamping member 12. The mechanism of the microtome M constitutes no part of the present invention and so is not described and shown in detail. The micro! tome has a` specimen holder S which is vertically reciprecated and moved horizontally by small increments whereby successivesec-- tions are cut off of the specimen by the stai tionary knife when the wheel W is turned. It is obvious that our knife holder may be applied to any microtome of this general type and it is to be understood that our invention resides in the microtome knife holder and not in the mechanism for reciprocating and advancing the specimen.`

Movably mounted on the support 10 is the member 13 which can be secured in'adjusted position by means of the clamping members 14 and 14 and the screws 15 and 15 cooperating with the nuts 16 and 16. The `upper part of member 13 is slotted as at 17 y to receive the knife 13 which is removably secured by means of the clamping lingers lf) and 19 and screws 2O and 20. The member 13 has a base `or under side which is arcuately curved, as shown at 21 in Fig. 1, Ithe center of curvature lying at a point O which is at the cutting edge of the knife 13. Suitable scale means 22 maybe provided adjacent the arcuate base of member-13 to indicate the angular' position of the knife 18.

When the knife 18 is removed for the purpose of sharpening it, the edge of the knife is ground away so that when the knife is vreplaced in the holder its cutting edge will no longer be located at the point O which is the center of curvature of the arcuate base 2'1wof member 13. Therefore, we provide gauging indicators 23 and 23 which are pivotally mounted on the member 13 adjacent the slot 17. As shown in Fig. 1, the indicators 23 are adapted to be swung upwardly to the dotted line position which is determined by the stop pins 24 and 211. Vhen the indicators are in this position their edges are at the center of curvature O and the knife 18 may be adjusted by means of screws 25 and 25 until the cutting edge is in line with the guiding edge of the indica# Y tors so that the cutting edge will again be icc 2 1,7e',2ee

indicators are swung downwardly when not in use.

From the foregoing il; will 13e-apparent that (he cutting angle of knife 1S can he adjusted by merely loosening the nuts 16 and 16 and niet such adjustment will not Change the distance from the euiing edge to the specimen. Thus, While the inierotonie being operated to cui; a section of e. given thickness, the" Cutting angle may be changed without altering the thickness of e single section because the curbing; edge always maintains the saine position relative to they specimen holder irrespective of the euzing angle. Various inodiieations een obviously be inade Wihoui departing from the spirit of Jehe invention pointed ouiin the appended Claims. v

Vie elaine:

20 l. A inierotonie Comprising a 'specimen Currier adapted no be reeiproeated, a knife holder carrying a knife adjacent 'o said carrier, seid holder having a curved buse, all points on the curve of seid base being` equidisent from the eutaing edge of seid knife.

` 2. A 'inioroioine comprising a specimen carrier, a knife holder, a knife in said holder, seid Carrier being adaped to he reciprocated pestseid knife, seid holder hei/ing e curved base on which ii: is inovably mounted whereby the knife may be engularly ad-` justed, the Curved porion of the base defining an erewhose Center of eurvnureeoineides substentieiiy wiih the eul'i'ng edge of said knife.

3; A uiiorotonie comprising a. specimen Currier, u knife hoider adjacent "ro seid speciv uien Carrier, u knife iu said holder, said 40 holder having o -u :ireueliely curved bese whereby seid knile muy bea-ngulurly sdjusied with respect ilo seid specimen Currier, si, d curved buse deiining :in are oi e Circle Whose cellier lies suhrijenivially ou the Cutting edge. of seid knife.

e2. In av inieroome, @knife holder having L knife edjusably secured therein, seid holder having e Curved bese on Whioh itis inovablj/ mounted whereby the khife may he eneulerly adjusted, seid Curved bese dehning un are of e Circle Whose center lies above the holder end gauging means on said holder *for determining he center of' seid circle.

5. In a inierofaoine, the eombina'rion of a support, a knife holder aojus'tebly inouned on said suppor, a knife in seid holder, said holder having e base deining en are of a Circle Whose eener lies vabove seid holder, gouging ineens carried by said holder for d eerniining ruhe Center of seid Circle, ineens for adjusting -fhekniife in seid holder to po: iion 'bhe euting edee of' the knife the Center of Vsaid circle. 1

VHLLAM L; PATTERSON.

GEORGE B. GALLSCi-. 

